Breech-actuating apparatus of heavy guns.



A. T. DAWSON & J. HORNE.

BRBBGH AGTUATING APPARATUS 0F HEAVY GUNS.

APPLIOATION FILED JAN. Z, 1913.

Patented Sept. 2, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

mu'mnm vmsoulmlm co.. WASHINGTON, n. c.

A. T. DAWSON & J. HORNE.

BREEGH AGTUATING APPARATUS 0F HEAVY GUNS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 2, 1913.

LUQl 9. Patented sept. 2, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

cnLuMnlA PLANODRAPH C0..w^sHlNGToN. D. c.

A. T. DAWSON & J. HORNE.

BREEGH AGTUATING APPARATUS 0F HEAVY GUNS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 2, 1913.

Patented Sept. 2, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

COLUMBIA PLANUGRAPH Co.,\1A'SH1NnToN. D. c.

A. T. DAWSON & J. BORNE.

BREBGH AGTUATING APPARATUS 0F HEAVY GUNS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 2, 1913.

1,072,31 9. Patented Sept. 2, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

@NFFFD SATES FATNT nieren ARTHUR TREVOR DAWSON, 0F WESTMINSTER, LONDON, AND JAMES HORNE, 0F

BARROWINFURNESS, ENGLAND, ASSIGNORS TO 'VICKERS LIMITED, OF WEST- MINSTER, ENGLAND.

BREECI'I-ACTUATING APPARATUS OF HEAVY GUNS.

To all 107mm @'75 may concern Be lit known that we, ARTHUR Tnnvon Dawson, knight, and JAMES Home, both subjects of the King of Great Britain, residing, respectively, at Vickers House, Broadway, Westminster, in the county of London, England, and Naval Construction lVorks, Barrow-in-Furness, in the county of Lancaster, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in or Relating to the Breech-Actuating Apparatus of Heavy Guns, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to breech actuating apparatus of the kind in which the breech actuating motor is situated on the slide frame and is provided with means whereby it operates to open the breech during the run out movement of the gun and to close the breech when the loading tray assumes its lowest position. According to this invention the means for controlling the breech actuating motor comprise two valve (one of which may form the seat for the other), so constructed and arranged that during the recoil movement of the gun they operate to maintain the motor stationary, and during the run out movement cause pressure fluid to be admitted to the motor to open the breech. The arrangement is also such that as the hinged loading tray is raised, move ment is imparted to a spring device forming part of the valve mechanism so that during the downward movement of the tray the said device engages with one of the valves to shift it into a position to admit pressure fluid to the motor for closing the breech.

ln order to bring the motor gently to rest as the breech block reaches its fully open and closed positions and also to suspend the opening of the breech if lthe run out of t-he gun is interrupted, we employ a reciprocatory member such as a plate actuated by the motor, which plate is adapted to become engaged with and disengaged from one of the valves at the correct time and in the proper sequence.

ln order that our said invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect, we will describe the same more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a side elevation and Fig. 2

Specicaton of Letters Patent.

Application led January 2, 1913.

Patented Sept. 2, 1913.

Serial No. 739,671.

is a partial end elevation of a gun and mounting provided with our improvements. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the mechanism that effects lthe movements of the valves. Fig. 8iL is a side elevation of a part of the valve mechanism hereinafter referred to, and Fig. 3b is a side elevation of the aforesaid plate. Fig. 4: is a sectional end elevation of Fig. 3. Figs. 4a, 4b, 4C and 4d are sections taken through the ports of one of the valves and the casing, Figs. 4ta and 4C being sections on the same line but viewed in opposite directions and with the valves in different positions. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the valves in position in their casing. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the mechanism at the rear of the said valves and Figs. 7 and 8 are side elevations of the valves removed from their casing. Figs. 9 to 15 show diagrammatically certain positions that the valves and the principal parts of their mechanism occupy during the recoil and run out of the gun, and the raising and lowering of the loading tray.

A is the gun and B the cradle that recoils therewith.

C is the slide frame for the cradle, C is the loading tray and C2 is the breech actuating motor.

D and E represent the aforesaid valves and F represents their casing.

G represents the aforesaid plate operated by the breech actuating motor.

In the example illustrated, the valves D and E are of the rotary kind having their working faces in contact, the valve D constituting the seat for the valve E and being provided with an exhaust port cl and with two ports cl', d2 which respectively control the opening and the closing movements of the motor C2. These ports terminate on the cylindrical portion of the valve D at difterent distances from the face of the valve as is shown in Fig. 4. The said ports communicate with independent annular channels formed by the packing rings of the valve D. The valve casing F has Vports f, f (Figs. t and 4a) connected to pressure and exhaust pipes fx, fx (Fig. l) and has two other ports f2, f3 (Figs. 4b and 4c and 5) connected to pipes f2", f3X (Figs. l and 2) one or the other of which conveys pressure fluid t0 the motor for causing it to open and close the breech in accordance With Whichever of the ports fl', Z2 is open to pressure fluid. The pressure fluid supply port f communicates asV shown in Fig. ld with a cavity in the valve D in which the valve Eis adapted to move. The spindle of the valve D is, in the example shown, provided with Va pinion D (Figs.-

adaptedV to engage with a cam groove BX' on vthe cradle, so that the aforesaid Vvalve D is angularly displaced in opposite directions during the recoil and run out of the gun. TheA .arrow in Figs. 5, 9 and 10 indicates-the directioncf `movement of the valve D durn ing recoil of the gun. Y

The valve :Eis formed with a depression e (Figs. 4t and 8) for the purpose of placing either of the ports cZ, Z2 of the valve D yin communication with the exhaust port CZ. The spindle of the valve E has a squared end d that engages in a square recess (Fig. Ll) in the boss cf a lever F/ (Fig. 3a) having a pin EO that is pivoted in a bracket EX connected to the slide frame. A spring e2 (Fig. 4l) is disposed in the said recess to retain the valve E on theface of the valve Di. The lever E carries a spring bolt E2 under the control of a bell-crank lever am E2X7 pivoted in the lever E', the arinE2X engaging With the inner part of thevspring bolt E2. The `said lever E is adapted to receive a Ydetachable handle E for.moving the valve E when the breech motor is to be controlled by hand as Will be hereinafter described. The spindle c of the aforesaid hinged loading tray C has an arm 0^" (Fig. 1) which is connected by a link CX with an arm C3 pivoted co-axially Wit-h the'rotary valves upon the boss of the leverfE and provided With a spring plunger c3- (constituting the aforesaid spring device) under the control of a bell-crank lever 03X. C, the arm C3x engaging With'the plunger c3.

The valve D is rocked during recoil of the gun7 in thedirection of the arrowr in Figs. 5, 9 and 10,v by the coperation of the cam groovel BX with the bell crank lever 'CX Aas aforesaid, and, a shoulder clx on the said valve coming into contact With ashoulder ex on the valve E as shown in Fig; 10, the valve D carries the valve E with it until the loiver end of the aforesaid leverE conL nected thereto bears against a stop g'on'tlie plate G Which is loosely mounted on the pin EO of the lever E and has a series of teeth formed cn'its periphery with whichengages a Worm GO operated by the motor C2.' The spring bolt FP carried by the-said lever E then engages in Va recess gX formed in a flange-Grx on the plateV G and the valve Ei is therebyz locked to the plate'as'shown in` Fig; 11.' Meanwhile the closing por-t cl2 'of the. valveD has been uncovered (Fig. 10) during the initial part of the movement of this valve and remains uncovered during the Whole ofthe recoil movement so that the motor G2 is retained in the position to keep the breech closed. During the run out movementof the gun the valve D is rocked in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 12 with the result that. the opening port- Z is uncovered as shown in Fig. 12 (the valve E being locked to the plate Gr as aforesaid) and the breech moto-r C2 is caused to commence to open the breech... Duringthe opening of the 4breech the plate Gis angularly displaced by the motor, vcarrying with it the valve E,`so` that the valves are both moving independently in the same direction. When the gun has fully run` out, the valve D reaches its normal position (Fig. 13) and, the breechcontinuing toopen, the plate G movesV the valve E'into the position indicated in Fig. 13. The opening port d in the valve Dis thus closed and the motor C2 is gradually vbrought to rest With the breech block in the fully open position. If the'gun should not run out to thev full vextent, the valve D Will not .have reached its normal position under the influence lof the cam groove "BX onzthe cradle, and the valve FJ" will then overtake the valve Dy and close its opening 1 port al', thereby bringing the motor to `rest with the breech not fully opened.

In order Vto-.prevent damage .to-the `gear in the event `ofthe opening of `the breech not corresponding with the run out of the gun, such as occurs when the breech motor does not start as soon as the. opening port is uncovered,l the aforesaid springy bolt E2 is formed with a beveled face E2XX as shown in Fig. 8, in-such a manner that as the gun runs out, the valve vD overtakes the valve E until shoulders d, 62X thereon coperate, .vhereupon, the valve D moving faster than the valve E,` `the latter .is positively moved by the former and the bolt E2 is. forced clear of the recess g* in the flange GX of theplate G and the valves move together toward their normal position. After the valve D has reached this position, the plate G overtakes the=valve E andthe stop g coperates with the lever E to'move thevvalve E. to its normal position so that the motor C2 is brought to rest as aforesaid with the breech fully closed.l rhe angle1of the beveled face Em is such' that under 'normal' Vconditions the bolt-E2 will not be forced clear of therecess but {Will-'lockthe leverE of the valve E to the plate G as before described.

'Vhen the loa-dingl tray C is raised by thegun loading cage, the aforesaid` arm C3 pivoted co-axially with the rotary valves is angularly displaced -in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 3, and the spring plunger c3 carried thereby is moved out ofcontact with the circular edge of the lever E', so that the said plunger moves inwardly (as shown in Fig. lll) carrying therewith its controlling lever 03X, 03X. lhen t-he hinged loading tray is lowered, the aforesaid arm C3 moves inthe reverse direction to that mentioned above, and as the tray nears its lowest position the spring plunger c3 engages with the arm e2Xx of the bell-crank lever e2XX FFX (as shown in Fig. l5) to rock the latter in an anti-clockwise direction and move the spring bolt E2 out of engagement with the recess gX in the flange GX of the plate G. By the further movement of the arm G3 as t-he tray reaches its lowest position, the plunger c3, pressing against the edge of the lever E and against the lever @2W-the latter being against a stop on the former--moves the lever E connected to the valve E until the latter has uncovered the closing port cl2 in the valve D as shown in Fig. l5. The breech motor then commences to close the breech, during which operation the plate G is being angularly displaced in the direction of the arrow in Fig. l5. During this movement of the plate a cam surface Gr engages with the arm C5X of the controlling lever 03X, C3x of the spring plunger 03 and moves the latter clear of the arm e2Xx of the bell-crank lever am, E2X as shown in Fig. 9; a stop g on the plate G then engages with the lever E connected to the valve E and moves the latter into the position shown in Fig. 9 to cover the closing port cl2, thus bringing the motor gently to rest with the breech fully closed The parts are then in the normal position so that when the gun is again fired the above described cycle of operations is repeated.

1When the valve E is to be actuated by the handle E, the spring bolt E2 and the spring plunger' are retracted in any suitable manner against the resist-ance of their springs and reta-ined in that position, the aforesaid connecting rod DX being disconnected from its bell-crank lever CX and attached to a fiXed part of the mounting so that the valve D is locked in its normal position. The valve I) thus forms a fixed seating for the manually operated valve E.

By the clause in the appended claims of two valves in fluid connect-ion with each other is meant two valves one of which supplies fluid pressure to pass the other (when the latter is in the correct position) to the breech actuating motor.

lVhat we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is l. In breech actuating apparatus for ordnance, the combination with the pressure fluid breech actuating motor, of two rotary valves in fluid connection with each other, and means for causing relative angular movement to talre place between the valves during the run out of the gun in order to admit pressure fluid to the motor to open the breech.

2. In breech actuating apparatus for ordnance, the combination with the pressure fluid bre-ech actuating motor, of two valves one forming the seat for the other, and means for causing relative movement to take place between the valves during the run out of the gun in order to admit pressure fluid to the motor to open the breech.

3. In breech actuating apparatus for ordnance, the combination with the pressure fluid breech actuating motor, of two valves in fluid connection with each other, and means for causing relative movement t0 take place between the valves during the recoil of' the gun in order to admit pressure fluid to the motor to retain the breech closed and also for causing further relative movement'to take place between the valves during the run out of the gun in order to admit pressure fluid to the motor to open the breech.

4l. In breech actuating apparatus for ordnance, the combination with the pressure fluid breech actuating motor, of two valves one forming the seat for the other, and means for causing relative movement to take place between the valves during the recoil of the gun in order to admit pressure fluid to the motor to retain the breech closed and also for causing further relative movement to take place between the valves during the run out of the gun in order to admit pressure fluid to the motor to open the breech.

5. In breech actuating apparatus for ordnance, the combination with the pressure fluid breech actuating motor, of two valves in fluid connection with each other, means for causing relative movement to take place between the valves during the run out of the gun in order to admit pressure fluid to the motor to open the breech, and means for causing the motor to move one of the valves so that their original relative position is restored and the supply of pressure fluid to the motor cut olf.

G. In breech actuating apparatus for ordnance, the combination with the pressure fluid breech actuating motor, of two valves one forming the seat for the other, means for causing relative movement to take place between the valves during the run out of the gun in order to admit pressure fluid to the motor to open the breech, and means for causing the motor to move one of the valves so that their original relative position is restored and the supply of pressure fluid to the motor cut off.

7. In breech actuating apparatus for ordnance, the combination with the slide frame and the pressure fluid breech actuating motor carried thereby, of two valves in uid connection with each other, means for causing relative movement to take place between the valves during the run out of the gun in order to admit pressure fluid to the motor to open the breech.

S. In breech actuating apparatusffor ordnance, the combination with the slide frame and the pressure uid breechv actuating motor carried thereby, of two valvesone forming' the seat for the other, and means for causing relative movement to take place between the valves during' the run out of the gun in order to' admit pressure fluid to the motor to open the breech.

9. In breech actuating' apparatus for crdnance, the combination with the slide frame and the pressure fluid breech actuating` mo tor carried thereby, of two valves in fluid connection with each other, and m-eans for causing' relative movement to taire place between the valves during),- the recoil of the gun in order to admit pressure fluid to the motor to retain the breech closed and also for causing' further relative movement to take place between trie valves during the run out of the gun in order to admit pressure fluid to the motor to open the breech.

l0. In breech actuating' apparatus for ordnance, the combination with the slide fra-me and the pressure fluid breech actuating' motor carried thereby, of two valves one formingl the seat for the other, and means for causingrelative movement to take place between the valves during' the recoil ofthe gun in order to admit pressure fluid to the motor to retain the breech closed and also for causing' further relative movement to take place between the valves during,` the run out of the gun in order to admit pressure fluid to the motor to open the breech.

1l. In breech actuating apparatus for ordnance, the combination with'the slide frame and the pressure fluid breech actuating' motor carried thereby, of two valves in fluid connection with each other, m-eans for causing relative movement to take place between the valves during' the run out of' the gun in order to admit pressure fluid to the motor to open the breech, and means for causing the motor to move one of the valves so that their original relative position is restored and the supply of pressure fluid to the motor cut off.

l2. In breech actuating apparatus for ordnance, the combination with the slide frame and the pressure Huid breech actuating' motor carried thereby, of two valves one forming' the seat for the other,V and means for causing' relative movement to ta-lre place between the valves during; the run out of the gun in order to admit pressure fluid to the motor to open the breech, and means for causingl the motor to move one of the valves so thattheir original relative position is restored and the supplyof' pres-V sure fluid to the motor cut off.

13. In breech actuating apparatus, the combination with'the slide Jframe and the pressure fluid breech actuating motor carried thereby, a valve seat formed with three ports,:an exhaust pipe communicating);A with one of said ports, Yfluid pressure supply pipes communicating with two of said ports and the motor, means for oscillating' said valve seat during the recoil and run out of the gun, a valve movable upon the face of the valve seat within certain limits, a member moved bythe breech actuating' motor, means for establishing,` a connection between said member and the valve at the end of the recoil movement of the gun, and means for breaking` the said connection.

14:; In breech actuating` apparatus, the combination with the slide frame and th-e pressure fluid breech actuating' motor carried thereby, a valve seat formed with three ports, an evhaust pipe communicatinp,` with one of said ports, fluid pressure supply pipes communicating with two of said ports and the motor, means for oscillating said valve seat during' the recoil and run out of the gun, a valve movable upon the face of the valve seat within certain limits, a plate, means for rocking said plate by the opening' and closing' movements of the breech actuating' motor, a spring controlled device for establishing' a connection between the plate and the valve at the end of the recoil movement of the gun, and means for moving said spring` controlled device out of engagement between the plate and valve.

15. In breech actuating apparatus for ordnance, the combination with the gun loading tray and the pressure fluid breech actuating' motor, of two valves in fiuid connection with each other, and means for causing' relative movement to take place between the valves during' the lowering' of the tray in order to admit pressure fluid to the motor to close the breech.

1G. In breech actuating apparat-us for ordnance, the combination with c the gun loading tray and the pressure fluid breech actuating motor, of two valves one forming the seat for the other, and means for causing relative movement to take place between the valves during the lowering,` of the tray in order to admit pressure fluid to the motor to close the breech. A

17. In breech actuating apparatus for ordnance, the combination with the gun loading` tray and the`pressure fluid breech actuating motor, of two valves in fluid connection with each other, means for causing relative movement'to take place between the valves during the lowering` of the tray in order to admit pressure fluid to the motor to close the breech and means for causing the motor to move one of the valves so that their original relat-ive position is restored and the supply of pressure fluid to the motor cut ofi'.

18. ln breech actuating apparatus for ordnance, the combination with the gun loading tray and the pressure fluid breech actuating motor, of two valves one forming the seat for the other, means for causing relative movement to take place between the valves during the lowering of the tray in order to admit pressure fluid to the motor to close the breech, and means for causing the motor to move one of the valves so that their original relative position is restored and the supply of pressure fluid to the motor cut off.

19. ln breech actuating apparatus for ordnance, the combination with the slide frame, the gun loading tray and the pressure fluid breech actuating motor mounted on said slide frame, of two valves in fluid connection with each other and means for causing relative movement to take place between the valves during the lowering of the tray in order to admit pressure fluid to the motor to close the breech.

20. ln breech actuating apparatus for ordnance, the combination with the slide iframe, the gunA loading tray and the pressure fluid breech actuating motor mounted on said slide frame, of two valves one forming the seat for the other and means for causing relative movement to take place between the valves during the lowering of the tray in order to admit pressure fluid to the motor to close the breech.

21. In breech actuating apparatus for ordnance, the combination with the slide frame, the gun loading tray and the pressure fluid breech actuating motor mounted on said slide frame, of two valves in fluid connection with each other, means for causing relative movement to take place between the valves lduring the lowering of the tray in order to admit pressure fluid to the motor to close the breech, and means for causing the motor to move one of the valves so that their original relative position is restored and the supply of pressure uid to the motor cut on.

22. ln breech actuating apparatus for ordnance, the combination with the slide frame, the gun loading tray and the pressure fluid breech actuating motor mounted on said slide frame, of two valves one forming the seat for the other, means for causing relative movement to take place between the valves during the lowering of the tray in order to admit pressure fluid to the motor to close the breech, and means for causing the motor to move one of the valves so that their original relative position is restored and the supply of pressure fluid to the motor cut o.

23. ln breech actuating apparatus for ordnance, the combination with the slide frame, the gun loading tray and the pressure fluid breech actuating motor mounted on said slide frame, et two valves one forming the seat for the other, a member moved by the tray in raising and lowering, means on said member for cooperating with a part moving with one of said valves, a plate moved by the motor, and means whereby the said plate engages with the last mentioned valve.

Q-l. In breech actuating apparatus for ordnance, the combination with the slide frame, the hinged gun loading tray and the pressure fluid breech actuating motor carried by said slide frame, of a valve seat formed with three ports, an exhaust pipe communicating with one of said ports, fluid pressure supply pipes communicating with twov of said ports and the motor, means for oscillating said valve seat during the recoil and run out oir' the gun, a valve movable upon the face of the Valve seat within certain limits, a member moved by the breech actuating motor, means for establishing a connection between said member and the valve at the end of the recoil movement of the gun, an arm moved by said loading tray, a device carried by said arm for breaking the said connection and for moving the valve to admit pressure fluid to the motor to close the breech, and a stop on the member operated by said motor for returning the valve to the cut off position.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

ARTHUR TREVOR DAWSON. JAMES HORNE.

lVitnesses to the signature of Arthur Trevor Dawson:

HENRY KING, JNO. R. CAswELL.

1Witnesses to the signature of James Horne:

MARK G. ATKINSON, HENRY S. McDoWALL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

